Johnathan Paoli
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen has expressed his outrage at both the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) bungling of the elections, as well as the ruling party’s failure to curb the “vices” of its former President and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party leader Jacob Zuma’s vices.
Steenhuisen said at the media briefing on Friday at the Results Operations Centre (ROC) in Midrand, that he was happy with his party’s performance thus far. But said he was shocked at the IEC for failing the voters of South Africa and also threatened court action over the commission’s handling of the elections.
Steenhuisen said he believed there could have been up to 1% of disenfranchised people who were unable to vote, due to various logistical and other challenges.
He said that the commission’s handling of the elections was a complete disaster that not only caused the party harm but also potential voters of the country.
On the other hand, Steenhuisen praised his party’s performance and said the DA was the only party to have grown in these elections.
“We are going back stronger and I am pleased about that. What you want is growth. I am glad I am not Mr Malema, Mr Mashaba or Mr Ramaphosa,” he said.
Steenhuisen said he does not have any sympathy for the ANC in kwaZulu-Natal as it failed to hold to reign in MK Party leader Jacob Zuma while pointing out that the former President is a very popular individual and the ruling party’s actions have caused their own problems.
“Had Zuma been where he belongs, which is in jail for the 784 charges of fraud, corruption, and racketeering that Ramaphosa and his party have protected and shielded him for the last 15 years, perhaps he would not be leading a political party today. He would be incarcerated in a correctional services facility,” Steenhuisen said.
The DA’s Solly Malatsi confirmed that the party was planning its journey forward after the elections, with an executive meeting planned for Sunday to decide future plans.
Malatsi said the party has thus far not considered the possibility of coalitions with the African National Congress (ANC).
The IEC has thus far counted 61.16% of the vote, with the ANC leading with 41.94%, the DA at 22.97% and the MK party at 11.66%.
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